Rotary disk bit



June 22, 1927. HOWARD E AL 2,084,442

ROTARY DISK BIT Filed May 4, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l #11492720/15 Job/7 Howard June 22, 1937., J. H. HOWARD ET AL RQTARY DISK BIT Filed May 4. 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 hrenfons vbhr) /7: Howard A/frad (I Caf/a/vd fl MM ffw-wkgy Patented June 22, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE C. Catland, Alhambra, Globe Oil Tools Company,

Calif., assignors to Los Nietos, Caliii,

a corporation of California Application May 4, 1934, SerialNo. 723,894

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a well drilling tool and relates more particularly to a rotary disk bit for use in the rotary method of well drilling. A general object of this invention is to provide an improved rotary disk bit'that is particularly rapid and efiective in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary disk bit of the general character described and claimed in our co-pending application entitled Disk bit, filed October 23, 1933, Serial No. 694,822 maturing into Patent No. 1,995,389, granted March 26, 1935.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a disk bit having two pairs of cutters, the cutters of each pair being connected to rotate in unison about a downwardly and outwardly inclined axis and being mounted and related so that the leading cutter forms or cuts the well bore and the trailing cutter engages the side wall of the bore 2" to ream the bore and positively rotate its associated leading cutter while assuming or taking but very little of the drilling weight or pressure which is thus concentrated on the leading cutters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a 'well bit of. the character mentioned in which the trailing reaming cutters have integral axles or hubs which carry the leading disk cutters, the said hubs being rotatably supported in a simple practical and dependable manner.

disk bit of the character mentioned including novel and particularly effective means for removably retaining the leading bore-making disk cutters on the axles or hubs of the reaming cutters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary disk bit including means for discharging the circulation fluid at the peripheries of the disk cutters at points adjacent the bottom of the bore to flush the cutters and mix the cuttings with the circulation fluid to prevent the cuttings from "balling up on the shank.

Another object of the invention is a rotary disk bit of the character mentioned including a replaceable fluid distributing and discharging flow bean attached to ths'eshank in a simple dependable manner without employing packing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple practical bearing or bushing assembly for rotatably supporting the hub or axle of two connected disk cutters.

-A still further object of the invention is to provide a rotary disk bit of the character mentioned 55 thatis simple and inexpensive and that embodies Another object of the invention is to provide a to provide an improved combination of sturdy, effective parts.

Other objects and features of our invention will be better and more fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form of the invention, throughout which description reference may be had to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the bit provided by the invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom View of the bit with one half in horizontal cross section.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the lower end portion.

of the bit. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal detailed sectional view illustrating the flow bean and the inner side of one of the leading cutters. Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional view through the mounting of one pair of cutters. Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse .sectional view of one of the principal disk cutters, being a view taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. '7. Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the principal disk cutters and Fig. 8 is an enlarged elevation of the inner side of one of the reaming cutters.

The rotary well bit provided by the present invention includes, generally, a body or shank l0, pair of cutters A and B, means ll connecting the cutters A and B for rotation in unison and for mounting them for rotation about inclined axes, and means l2 for handling or discharging the circulation fluid in a manner to fully flush the cutters and provide for the desired turbulence in the bottom of the well bore.

The body or shank I0 is adapted to be attached to the lower end of a drilling string of drill pipe. The shank i0 is an elongate cylindrical member provided at its upper end with suitable means for connecting with the drilling string. In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings the upper end of the shank I0 is provided with a tapered screw-threaded pin I3. Spaced annular grooves may be provided in the upper portion of the shank ID to provide a series of'tyvickers or shoulders 14 for engagement by a fishing tool. In accordance with the invention a pair of spaced opposed legs l5 project downwardly from the lower end of the shank l0. Each leg l5 carries a pair of cutters A and B. In the preferred construction the legs l5 are inclined downwardly and inwardly. having flat parallel inclined inner and outer sides. The upper portions of the legs I5 may be slightly tapered or 'of downwardly diminishing thickness. The leading edges or sides l6 of the legs l5 are vertical while the trailing sides I! of the legs are inclined downwardly and forwardly relative to the direction of the rotation of the drill. The lower ends of the legs l5 may be rounded and the corners of the legs may be bevelled or rounded, as illustrated throughout the drawings. Where the body or shank I0 is cylindrical the outer sides 18 of the legs 15 may join the periphery of the shank and extend downwardly and inwardly, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings.

The cutters A and B are connected to rotate in pairs, one pair of cutters being carried by each leg 15. The cutters are in the nature of disk cutters, the cutters A being the principal cutting or bore-forming cutters and the cutters B being the reaming cutters. The cutters A are arranged at the inner sides of the spaced legs l5 and are comparatively large in diameter to project downwardly and forwardly from the legs as will be more fully described. The principal disk cutters A may have plain or untoothed peripheral cutting edges IQ for acting on the earth formation. The inner sides of the cutters A are preferably fiat and normal to the axis of the cutters and are provided with inwardly projecting central bosses 20. The outer sides of the disk cutters A are tapered or conical, being inclined or bevelled to their cutting edges is. Circumferentially spaced sockets 2| are provided in the inner sides of the cutters A for the receptionof a spanner or other turning tool.

The cutters B are arranged or disposed at the outer sides of the legs l5 and are provided to engage the side wall of the well bore to ream the bore, stabilize the bit and cause rotation of the principal disk cutters A. The cutters B project downwardly and forwardly from the legs 15 and are considerably smaller in diameter than the cutters A to trail the cutters A in their engagement with the earth formation. The cutters B illustrated in the drawings have fiat parallel sides and pitched or bevelled peripheries. In the preferred form of the inventionthe cutters B are provided with peripheral teeth 22 for engaging the formation to ream the bore and cause rotation of the cutters. The teeth 22 are comparatively large or heavy and are preferably spiralled. The reaming teeth 22 are pitched or inclined rearwardly relative to the direction of rotation of the cutters B to have proper engagement with the formation to insure the rotation of the cutters. Sockets 23 are providedin the outer sidesof the cutters B for the reception ,of a spanner or the like.

The means I l for connecting the adjacent cutters A and B and for mounting the cutters for rotation about inclined axes includes an axle or hub 24 projecting from the inner side of each cutter B. The hubs 24 are integral with the cutters B and are of considerable length. The axles or hubs 24 extend through transverse openings 25 in the legs I5 to project from the inner sides of the legs and carry the cutters A. The longitudinal axes of the openings 25 are inclined downwardly and outwardly relative to an axial plane of the shank in, being substantially normal to the inclined sides'of the legs IS. The axes of the openings 25 are preferably axially offset on diametrically opposite sides of the bitaxis and being offset forwardly thereof in the direction of rotation of the tool. The means H includes improved bearings for rotatably supporting the hubs 24 in the openings 23. Bearings 26 are arranged in the openings 25 and have annular flanges 21 on their outer ends seating in recesses 28 in the outer sides of the legs ll. Dowel pins 28 project from the legs I! and cooperate with openings in the flanges 28 to hold the bearings 26 against rotation. Nuts 38 are threaded on the inner end portions 'of the bearings 26 and engage the inner sides of the legs I5. Spaced notches 3| are provided in the peripheries of the nuts 30 whereby the nuts may be engaged for turning. The bearings 26 and the nuts 3ll'are preferably carburized or otherwise hardened.

Hardened wear taking bushings 32 are forcefitted or pressed on the hubs 24 to operate'in the bearings 26. The bushings 32 seat against shoulders at the bases of the cutters B and project inwardly beyond the nuts 30. The hubs 24 have threaded portions 33 projecting inwardly from the legs l5 and the principal disk cutters Av are threaded on these portions of the hubs. The cutters A are provided with central threaded openings 34 whose threads cooperate with the threads-of the hub portions 33. The flanges 21 of the bearings 26 project from the outer sides of the legs l5 and form thrust receiving members engageable by the cutters B. The bushings 32 in projecting inwardly beyond the nuts 30 constitute thrust receiving members engageable by the outer sides of the cutters A.

The invention provides simple and particularly dependable means for locking the cutters A against unthreading or displacement from the hubs 24. This lock means includes parallel tangential openings 36 extending through-the hubs 20 of the cutters A. Annular grooves, 10 of square or rectangular cross-section areprovided in the threaded portions 33 of the hubs. The openings 36 are square or polygonal in cross section and intersect the openings 34 to register with the annular grooves 10 at diametricallyopposite points. Pins or keys 31 are passed through the openings 36 to cooperate ,with the grooves 10 and lock or retain the cutters A on the-hubs. The keys 31 are substantially U-shaped and are square or polygonal in transverse cross section to readily fit the openings 36 and the grooves 10. The spaced arms of the keys 31 have reduced end portions 38 projecting from the hubs 28. These reduced portions 38 of the'keys may be readily bent over to lock the keys against displacement from the openings 36. The cutters A in being threaded on the hubs 24 rotate with the hubs and the cutters B. The keys 31 arranged through the openings 36 to cooperate with the annular grooves 10 as just described positively prevent loss or displacement of the cutters A from the hubs.

The pairs of cutters A and B rotatably sup ported and related as just described, are rotatable about axes inclined downwardly and outwardly in opposite directions, said axes being staggered forwardly from one another relative to the direction of rotation of the tool. The two cutters A toe inwardly toward one'another at their lower edges tohave effective angles of shearing engagement with the earth formation at the bottom of the well. The cutters Ain being toed inwardly in this manner leave only a very small central core. The principal cutters A have extensive engagement with the formation and receive or operate under practically all of the weight or drilling pressure applied to the tool, so that they are rapid'and efllcient in their cutting action. Due to the inclination of the axes of rotation of the cutters and the relative sizes of to have very limited engagement with the formation at points slightly below the plane of their axes of rotation.

The means l2 operates to discharge the circulation fluid downwardly at the peripheral portions of the cutters A a short distance above the bottom of the well bore to thoroughly flush the cutters and to prevent the bit from becoming balled up with the cuttings. In accordance with the invention the means I2 discharges the circulation fluid downwardly at points in a transverse plane at or adjacent the bosses 20 and at diametrically opposite peripheral portions of the cutters A. A central longitudinal fluid passage 40 extends through the shank I!) from the upper end of the pin l3 to a socket 4| in the lower end of the shank. A central leg or member 42 has a shank 43 fitting the socket 4|. The upper end of the member 42 seats upwardly against a downwardly facing shoulder H of the shank ID. The member 42 may be welded to the shank ID as at 44. In the preferred construction the member 42 is elongated in transverse cross sectional configuration and is arranged with its broad sides spaced from and extending in substantially the same horizontal direction as the sides of the legs |5. A downwardly flaring passage 45 is provided in the member 42 and has 'its upper end in communication with the passage 40.

The means |2 includes a flow bean 46 carried by the member 42. A bass or shank 41 is provided on the upper end of theflow bean 46 to fit in an elongate socket 48 in the lower end of the member 42. The flow bean 46 projects downwardly between the spaced cutters A to a point adjacent the bosses 2D. A forked or divided passage 5|] is provided in the flow bean 46 and its ports 5| extend downwardly and outwardly to the lower end of the bean. The flow bean 46 is substantially centrally disposed with respectto the longitudinal axis of the tool so that one of its .ports 5| discharges adjacent the periphery of each cutter A. The lower end of the flow bean 46 may be recessed or made concave above the bosses 20 to facilitate the assembling and re moval of the cutters A. If desired or found practical a central port 52 may be provided in the flow bean 46 to discharge downwardly between the bosses 20 of the cutters A.

Effective means is provided for removably attaching the flow bean 46 to the member 42. Transverse openings 53 of rectangular cross section are provided in the member 42 to intersect the socket 48 at its opposite end walls. Notches 54 are provided in the opposite ends of the shank 4'! of the flow bean. The notches 54 are related to the openings 53 so that they are not in direct alignment or register with the openings when the shank 41 is in position in the socket 48. The

upper and lower walls of the notches 54 are spaced below the corresponding walls of the openings 53. Tapered pins or wedges 55 are driven through the openings 53 to cooperate with the upper walls of the notches 54 to force the flow bean 46 upwardly and hold it in a position where the upper end of the shank 4| tightly clamps against the upper wall of the socket 48. This engagement of the shank 41 with the socket wall prevents the leakage of fluidfrom between the member 42 and the flow bean 46. The wedges 55 may be readily removed to permit the replacement of the flow bean 46 upon the flow bean becoming worn or eroded through the action of the solid matter in the circulation fluid.

To assemble the cutters A and B the bearings 26 are first arranged in the openings 25 and keyed against rotation by the dowel pins 29. The

nuts '30 are threaded on the projecting inner ends of the bearings 26 to lock the bearings in place. The hubs 24 of the cutters B carrying the bushings 32 are passed through the bearings 26 and the cutters A are threaded on the projecting inner end portions 33 of the hubs. The lock pins or keys 31' are then passed through the openings 36 and their inner end portions 38 are bent over as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. As

the grooves 10 are annularthe cutters A may be.

in any rotative position with respect to the hubs when the keys 31 are arranged in place.

In operation the bit is rotated on the lower end of the drilling string in the right hand direction illustrated by the arrow in Fig. 2. The bit is maintained under a suitable drilling or feeding pressure and the principal cutters A engage the formation at the bottom of the well bore to cut or form the bore. The cutters A in having their lower ends toed inwardly toward one another leave only a very smallcore which is readily broken up and washed away by the downwardly-discharging circulation fluid. It will be seen that the outer trailing cutters B do not have contact with the formation at the bottom or upwardly facing wall of the bore but merely engage the formation at the side wall of the bore in limited zones slightly below the outer ends of the axes of rotation of the cutters. The engagement of the teeth 22 of the cutters B with the formation tends to ream the bore and positively rotates the cutters B and their associated cutters A. In practice only a very small series of teeth 22 of each trailing cutter B engages the formation rapid and effioient in their operation. The cutters A in being pitched or inclined downwardly and inwardly and in projecting forwardly from the leading sides of the legs l5 have effective anglesof cutting or shearing engagement with the earth formation.

Circulation fluid is continuously pumped downwardly through the drilling string to discharge from the flow bean 46. The flow bean discharges the fluid from its ports 5| at points close' to the bottom of the bore to provide for an effective turbulence and to cause the cuttings to be mixed with the circulation fluid so that they do not ball up the bit. Further, the ports 5| are spaced at opposite sides of the axes of the drill and located to discharge adjacent the peripheries of the cutters A so that the fluid discharged from them efiectively flushes the cutters. The wedges 55 operate to dependably attach the flow bean 46 to the member 42 so that there is no leakage of fluid from about the bean; The wedges 55 may be easily removed to permit the replacement of the flow bean 46 when it becomes worn or cut out through the action of the fluid. The

V cutter mounting means I is simple and inexpensive and dependably carries the pairs of cutters for rotation. The bearings 26 and the bushings 32 may be replaced when worn. The keys 3! positively prevent the displacement of the cutters A from the hubs 24 and displacement of the hubs 24 from the legs I5.

Having described only a typical form and application of our invention we do'not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific form and application herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A well bit including a shank, a leg projecting from the lower end of the shank, the leg having a transverse opening, disk cutters arranged at opposite sides of the leg, a projecting hub on one cutter, a shoulder on the hub adjacent said cutter, a bushing on the hub having one end bearing against the shoulder, threads connecting the other cutter with the hub for rotation therewith and for bearing. engagement against the other end of the bushing, a bearing in the opening carrying the hub for rotation, a pin holding the bearing against rotation, and a retaining nut threaded on' the bearing,.the bushing holding said other cutter spaced from the nut.

2. A well bit including a shank, a leg projecting from the lower end of the shank, the leg having a transverse opening, disk cutters arranged atopposite sides of the leg, a projecting hub on one cutter, a bushing on the hub, threads connecting the other cutter with the hub for rotation therewith and for engagement with an end of the bushing, a bearing in the opening carrying the hub for rotation, a flange on one end of the bearing projecting from a side of the leg to be engageable by a cutter, and a nut threaded on the hearing at the other side of the leg, the bushing holding said other cutter spaced from the nut.

3. In awell bit, a disk cutter, and a hub integral with and projecting from the cutter and having a portion for operation in a bearing and a threaded portion for carrying a cutter, there being an annular groove in the threaded portion for receiving a cutter locking member.

4. A well bit including a shank, a leg projecting from the lower end of the shank, the leg hav-' ing a transverse opening, a disk cutters arranged at opposite sides of the leg, a projecting hub on one cutter, threads on the hub and the other outter securing the said other cutter to the hub for rotation therewith, a bushing on the hub having an end engaged by the said other cutter, a hearing in the opening rotatably receiving the bushing, a flange on the bearing seating against a side of the leg and 'engageable by the first named cutter, and a nut threaded on the other end of the bearing to engage the other side of the leg, the bushing spacing the said other cutter from the nut.

'5. In a well bit, a rotatable axle having an annular groove, a bushing on the axle, a cutter threaded on the axle to have a side abut an end of the bushing and having spaced openings brought into registration with the groove by the engagement of the cutter with the bushing, and a lock member having spaced parts extending through said openings to cooperate with the groove.

6. In a well bit, a rotatable axle having an annular groove and an axially facing shoulder, a bushing on the axle having an end engaging the shoulder, a. cutter-threaded on the axle to abut groove and an axially lacing shoulder, a bushing on the axle having an' end engaging the shoulder,

a cutter engaging. the other end of the bushing and having an opening receiving the axle and having spaced openings intersecting the axle receiving opening and brought into communication with the groove by the engagement of the cutter I with the bushing, a removable lock member extending through'said spaced openings to cooperatewith the groove to prevent displacement of the cutter, and means for retaining the lock member in the openings.

8. In a well bit, an axle having an annular groove, a cutter threaded on the axle and having spaced openings for communicating with the groove, a removable substantially U-shaped' lock member having its arms extending through the spaced openings to cooperate with the groove, and reduced end portions on said arms bent over to prevent displacement of the member.

JOHN H. HOWARD. ALFRED C. CATLAND. 

